Acne is a common yet troubling condition for a number of people. It is now understood that both hormone levels and the presence of inflammation can influence the amount of acne on your skin.

Hormones cause the skin glands to overproduce sebum and to increase skin cell growth. This leads to blocked pores that contribute to acne. Additionally, inflammation damages the sebum in the pores and results in the growth of bacteria which adds to further inflammation, creating a vicious cycle.

While there are many treatments available, paying attention to the role dietary choices play in the development of acne can be an important consideration in working to find effective treatments for the condition.

While different foods can cause skin problems for different people, there are a few foods that research has identified as problematic in contributing to acne. Sugar, milk and other dairy products, and gluten-containing foods including breads and grains all aggravate the two major influences of acne: hormones and inflammation.

Sugar and high glycemic index carbohydrates

The primary hormones associated with acne are insulin and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Insulin and IGF-1 are both linked to blood sugar levels, and certain foods, primarily sugar, can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Studies have shown that high glycemic index (GI) foods have also been linked to acne.

High GI foods increase blood sugar levels rapidly. Sugar and refined carbohydrates such as bread and pasta are considered high GI foods. In addition to increasing inflammation, sugar can increase intestinal yeast known as candida which can increase acne.

Dairy products

Dairy products have also been shown in studies to increase IGF-1 levels, and those who drink more milk tend to have more problems with acne. The fact that dairy products significantly affect blood sugar (insulin) levels can be cause for concern when it comes to hormonal acne flare-ups.

Additionally, dairy is the most common food allergy and when allergens trigger an immune response it can lead to allergic skin reactions including acne breakouts. Also, those with lactose intolerance instead of milk allergy will have gut-related problems which can result in skin conditions such as acne.

Gluten

The relationship between gluten and acne is a result of an immune system response to gluten. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, rye, cross-contaminated oats, and other less common grains. A lot of processed foods contain glutenand it is a growing sensitivity for a significant number of the population.

As a result of this sensitivity, there is an inflammatory response in the gut. This reaction results in a depletion of antioxidants that protect the skin which can lead to an increase in acne.

Addressing food issues can be a valuable tool when working to identify the contributors to acne conditions. Reducing foods that upset hormone balance and increase inflammation, including sugar, dairy and gluten, can go a long way to reduce acne flare-ups and to promote healthier skin.

Have you ever woken up in the morning and thought, ‘today is definitely not a good skin day’?

Unlike hair, where we can have a bad hair day, and pull up our hair or put a hat on it, skin is much harder to hide. Of course, there is makeup and foundations, but those just cover your skin, they do not solve your problem.

A good facial mask product can really help to keep your acne problem under control.

Acne Is Pretty Common

Acne is a common problem. Like most skin problems, it is probably caused by something deeper, not a surface issue. Those of us who have had acne for a long period of time, or suddenly developed it after changing nothing, can attest to this fact.

Acne affects people both male and female, and can be caused by hormones, stress, and even hot, humid weather. Acne is an infection in the pores whose skin cell walls have been broken down, allowing the inflammation to spread.

What are the Causes of Bad Skin?

Why is there an infection in the first place? Well, any of the internal or external causes we see above result in an overabundance of sebum (oil that the skin produces to keep itself moisturized).

Sebum, produced at a healthy rate carries dirt and debris that collect in the hair follicle to the top, out of the skin, and it is washed off when you wash your face.

In a person with acne, the overabundance of sebum causes a clog in the hair follicle, and then the dirt gets trapped and causes an infection.

What To Do About Acne?

What can we do about this? Pursuing a resolution of the deeper issues causing the overabundance of sebum is always a good thing, but let’s discuss some more immediate solutions.

Facial Masks Can Definitely Help

An anti acne face mask can be helpful. An acne facial mask can help rejuvenate your skin and clear up acne.

What Do I Look for in a Facial Mask?

Like any other skin care product, be sure to choose a mask with ingredients that support and develop healthy skin, not just something that is going to dry your skin out. A quality acne facial mask could include green tea which has great astringent properties, as does lavender, oregano, and mint.

Skin health supportive vitamins such as B, C, E, and H, are wonderful additions to your acne facial mask as well. Acne can be a bothersome issue, especially for teens who are already overly concerned with their looks. Whether you, your teen, or a friend you know, is suffering from acne, an anti acne mask is a first step to take in skin health and cleanliness.

About the Author:

Guest author Jenny D. is a part-time writer that loves writing about all aspects of skin care. She is also a full-time SEO writer. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter!

While natural skin care products are chemical-free, artificial skin care and cosmetics add certain chemicals to your body that can create serious side effects in the long term. By forcing your skin and body to absorb chemicals it isn’t used to, artificial cosmetics are hindering in the normal functioning of the body. This results in the surfacing of acne and other related skin ailments, as the functionality of hormones is disturbed. But, organic products remove the possibility of such happenings entirely, as they have nothing to do with the functioning of the hormonal mechanism.

It must also be noted that though all organic products are safe for your skin, achieving good results requires picking products from a quality skin care company, with effective ingredients based on your skin type.

Slow but Steady

Although natural and organic beauty and skin care products are relatively slower as compared to their artificial counterparts, but at the same time, they also have no long term side effects, which are almost inevitable in the case of synthetic and artificial cosmetics. You can trust organic products when it comes to taking care of your skin, and can use them harmlessly for as long as you desire, without any harmful side effects surfacing in the long run.

But the real question and concern that arises here is whether the product you are choosing is 100 percent organic or not? There is a fairly easy and simple method for this and that is, to refer the labels every time you go for purchasing. Don’t just rely completely on the brand name, but always ensure that you check the list of ingredients. Hylunia.com would give you full details of its entire range of products.

Natural Care for the T-Zone

Taking care of the t-zone can be a daunting task, as every different region needs to be catered differently. Different problems are associated with different regions in the skin. The more oily regions can develop acne and pimples, whereas the dryer regions can have the problems of drying and chapping of the skin. The skin also has to face the maximum exposure to external environmental conditions, which can be both soothing and harsh. In response to the different weather conditions, the skin behaves differently during different times of the year. During winters, the skin dries up in response to the cold climate, and in the summers, it gets oily due to constant perspiration.

Such changes in the skin can be easily regulated by the use of natural and organic skin care products. They can effectually help your skin to deal with such modification in the external environment, and respond accordingly.